Polling extended as Iranians deliver verdict on Rouhani

Iran’s polls finally closed after Friday’s election was extended to cope with the large numbers turning out to give their verdict on President Hassan Rouhani and his troubled efforts to rebuild international ties and kickstart the struggling economy. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, has framed the vote as a choice between greater civil liberties and “extremism”. “The enthusiastic participation of Iranians in the election reinforces our national power and security,” said Rouhani as he cast his vote in Tehran.